Public safety in Bosna and Herzegovina (BiH) received a major boost today with the official opening of the Verification Centre for Deactivated Firearms at the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior Training Center in Zalužani.
Established through the OSCE project "Addressing Security and Safety Risks of Illegal Possession, Misuse and Trafficking of SALW and Their Ammunition in BiH," the Centre represents a significant step toward further strengthening regional security.
Equipped with advanced technology provided by the Mission, the Centre enables law enforcement agencies to rigorously more effectively verify and certify deactivated firearms, thereby reducing the risk of their criminal misuse.
"The Centre is more than a contribution to Bosnia and Herzegovina's security; it is a vital step in enhancing the safety and security across the wider OSCE region, said Mateusz Lempkowski, Head of the OSCE Security Co-operation Department. "This reflects the Mission's enduring partnership with the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior and the Police in addressing the complex challenges posed by small arms and light weapons."
Saša Jojić, Head of the Crime-Technical Center of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, expressed gratitude to the OSCE Mission and donor countries for their financial and technical support. "We are confident that this activity will reduce security risks for citizens of Republika Srpska arising from the illegal possession, misuse, and smuggling of such weapons," he said.
The project was made possible through contributions from Austria, Czechia, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States (US).
Representing Germany's leadership in the Western Balkans roadmap, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Gillissen, pointed out that: "We are proud to support efforts to counter illicit trafficking and proliferation of SALW globally and to help strengthen the capacities of BiH institutions to make the country safer."
The establishment of the Centre enhances Bosnia and Herzegovina's implementation of OSCE commitments on arms control and co-operative security, while reaffirming the Organization's support for mitigating risks associated with small arms and light weapons and reinforcing stability domestically and regionally.
This opening is one of many key element of the Mission's broader efforts to harmonize firearms legislation across all BiH jurisdictions, conduct joint training, and to ensure local laws meet international standards.
